Rundown for the Week of September 8, 2000
The Savvy Traveler's "Sail Away Contest"
This week we're kicking off our "Sail Away Contest". You've heard of our
contests before, but this one is the mother lode. For one lucky Savvy
Traveler listener and a guest, we're pulling aside the red velvet rope.
That's right. You could win a 5-day, 4-night get-away aboard the Alsons
II, a magnificent 86-foot yacht. This amazing vessel's complete with
wood-paneled state rooms, marble bathrooms, a dining room done in mahogany
and its own Cordon Bleu trained chef. This is how the creme-de-la-creme,
one-tenth of one percent really travel. To enter, all you have to do is write an essay. Go to our contest page and find out if you got what it
takes to win.
The Minarets of Cairo
Our first stop this week is Cairo, Egypt, where, as you might imagine, there
are thousands of mosques. Some are a hundred years old, others nearly date
back to the founding of Islam in the 7th century A.D. In this segment of our
series on a look at Cairo through the eyes of historic visitors, The Savvy
Traveler's Tom Verde takes us along on a tour of some of the city's most
famous Muslim holy places.
Bad Taste Tour: Barbed Wire Museum
Whenever our intrepid reporter, Cash Peters, takes us on one of his infamous
Bad Taste Tours, it's pretty cut and dry. The Parisian Sewer Tour? Bad
Taste. The Red Light District of Amsterdam? No brainer. But every once in
awhile Cash stumbles upon a place where it's hard to decide if what we're
encountering is tacky and disturbing, or if it's just plain weird. You
decide as Cash takes us on a trip to the Barbed Wire Museum in Kansas.
Hidden Macau
The island of Macau has always been a popular weekend destination for
residents of Hong Kong. But Macau is usually overlooked by tourists from the
West. Since the beginning of the last century, visitors had more to say
about the seedy casinos than the rich Portuguese history and culture of the
island. But since the handover of this Portuguese colony back to China last
year, Macau's image is slowly changing. While no trip to Macau is complete
without a few games of chance, The Savvy Traveler's Judith Ritter has found
some offbeat ways to enjoy the local culture without losing her shirt.
The Terrorist in 23-E
Imagine this scenario: You're on a plane. It's getting ready for take-off
when suddenly your seat mate jumps to his feet, says he's left something
behind but he'll be right back, and bolts off the plane. You notice he
leaves his carry-on bag behind. You can't resist. You're a little nervous so
you peek in the bag and suddenly, your worst fears are realized. You see
what appears to be a bomb. Commentator Susan Kepner had this exact
experience. She tells us about the "terrorist" in seat 23-E.
Deal of the Week
Endless Summer
Question of the Week
Recovery Getaways
Travelers' Aid
Travel on the Cheap
Rudy's View
Live Healthy, Take a Vacation
Culture Watch
Olympic Alternatives
Next Week
You know, there was once a time in airline history when travelers weren't as
well protected as they are now. Next week we're going to hear how times have
definitely changed since the first metal detectors.
"Some of them were like tunnels and they had to walk up a little ramp and
then down a little ramp and we used to watch people fall into them and fall
out of them. It was really strange"
The history of airport security during next week's journey. And, a trip to
the Italian countryside, where one traveler discovers that it's the people
who make the place...
"I think we see people at their best here. I think we find that people are
able to find themselves because they're not having to play any game. They're
not bringing their deal with them. They're not having to prove themselves."
Meet a couple who made their dream home into a dream hotel. That and more
when you come along for the ride during next week's edition of The Savvy
Traveler.
Cassette Copies
If you want your very own copy of The Savvy Traveler, order an audio
cassette. It's easy. Just call 303-823-8000. The price is $15.
Rudy Maxa's Traveler Newsletter
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